Critically evaluating mechanics of structure genome-based micromechanics approach

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to critically evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of a general-purpose micromechanics approach based on the Mechanics of Structure Genome (MSG), when it is applied to the constitutive modeling of 3D structures. The Generalized Method of Cell (GMC) is chosen as a reference method during efficiency evaluation. The predictions by Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis (3D FEA) are chosen as benchmarks during accuracy evaluation. Composites such as a continuous fiber-reinforced composite, a particle-reinforced composite, two discontinuous fiber-reinforced composites, and a woven composite are analyzed using MSG, GMC, and 3D FEA. During homogenization, MSG is found to be as accurate but much more efficient than 3D FEA, and despite high efficiency, GMC is found to sacrifice accuracy for efficiency. During dehomogenization, MSG is found to be as accurate as 3D FEA, but GMC is found not to be so accurate. The fidelity of MSG, when it is applied to the modeling of other structures (e.g., beams, plates, and shells), can be similarly evaluated.